THE RECYCLING COUNCIL OF BRITISH COLUMBIA: REFOCUS. RESTART. RENEW.
  • Home
  • The RCBC Awards
  • Program
  • Speakers
  • Sponsors
  • Keynote
  • Contact Us

Dell Inc. moving towards circularity

2/26/2015

0 Comments

 
Elena Papakosta, Environmental Compliance Manager, from Dell Inc. is one of our featured speakers in the technical/product/service stream of our delegate-led sessions on the Circular Economy on May 7. Elena will be featured along with  David Van Seters (Sustainable Ventures) speaking on the collaborative economy, Mary-Em Waddington (BC Technology for Learning) speaking on regional-based refurbishing business model, and Brian Zeiler-Kligman (Canada's National Brewers) speaking on its reuse model. 

Elena will be talking about Dell Inc.'s innovations in its business model towards circularity. Dell Inc. was recently recognized as a Circular Economy Pioneer at the 2015 Circular Economy Awards.  
0 Comments

EPR changed the landscape but can we do better?

2/25/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Extended Producer Responsibility has changed BC’s approach to recycling at almost every point in the system. But is it the best approach? Or can we do better? Don't miss your chance to be a part of the conversation and register today for #RCBC2015.

In the opening session on May 6, keynote speaker Marc Adams, Managing Director, of the Inter-Regional Packaging Commission of Belgium will talk about about the role of competition. He’ll discuss a system made more effective through competition at the operational level as monopoly organizations are only acceptable when there is full transparency of their activities.

With its EPR framework, Belgium has a functional competition approach operationally, while the advantages provided by monopolies at an organisational level are maintained. The key is a system structured for balance, independence and neutrality that incents efficiencies in a market place made functional through calls for tenders and free access, not only to information, but to the market itself.  Marc Adams will identify the components that make the recycling market and the system work well for Belgium. 

Picture
Usman Valiante is Senior Policy Analyst with Corporate Policy Group LLP, with more than 20 years experience in public policy issues involving a complex mix of economics, environmental science, law, business strategy and politics. In what is sure to raise the spectre of contention, Usman will follow Marc Adams with the perspective that full producer responsibility is more than just financial responsibility. He argues that producer self-determinacy, and the discretion to design reverse supply chains for recovering, reusing and recycling printed-paper and packaging.

In the context of EPR and highlighting innovation as its essence, Usman will describe the decisions that producers make (or are able to make) under shared responsibility and compares them to decisions they make (or have a much better chance of making) under a principled application of EPR.

In what is not a critique of producer packaging choices, or existing municipal recycling efficiency, Usman analyses the relationship between producer packaging choices and the current approach to recycling in Ontario versus that in British Columbia.  His conclusion makes the case that revisiting the fundamentals of EPR may provide for better environmental and financial outcomes.

0 Comments

CBC Radio: The Sharing Economy

2/18/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
From CBC Radio, Ideas with Paul Kennedy:  From AirBnB and Uber to tool libraries and swapping fairs, we're now selling, bartering, and sharing things with each other on an unprecedented scale, thanks to new technologies. Anne Wright-Howard examines how this new economic model challenges 20th century notions of ownership, commerce, government regulation, wealth and personal identity.

Listen to the Episode

0 Comments

What's new in Vancouver's Circular Economy?

2/13/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
From the Greenest City News (City of Vancouver):

The Vancouver Economic Commission (VEC) has been working with businesses in the design, manufacturing, construction, demolition and recycling sectors to uncover opportunities for spurring a shift to a more circular economy in Vancouver. A “circular economy” is economic activity geared toward keeping materials in circulation and out of the landfill — you may be familiar with it through other terms like “upcycle” or even plain-ol’ “reuse”.

So what is new in Vancouver’s circular economy?
  • Habitat for Humanity applied for a Greenest City Community Grant to launch a deconstruction training and material recovery program in their ReStores.
  • In a workshop this fall, Vancouver’s green leaders in the textiles sector revealed four ways to strengthen the circular economy for textiles businesses in the region.
  • The VEC is assembling a database of design, manufacturing, construction, demolition and recycling businesses that are active players in Vancouver’s circular economy.

How can you get involved?
If you want to be involved in the advancement of Vancouver’s circular economy, add yourself to the VEC partners database or follow the Flats Facts blog for monthly updates.

If you are inspired by this circular economy story, or have another bright green idea, consider applying for a Vancouver Foundation Greenest City Neighbourhood Small Grant of up to $1,000. This fund supports Vancouver residents to carry out neighbourhood-based projects that contribute to a greener city. This year, the Greenest City Neighbourhood Small Grant opens for submissions on Feb 23 with a deadline of Mar 31.  

0 Comments

20 years of RCBC Conferences (1994-2014)

2/11/2015

0 Comments

 
Take a look back at 20 years of RCBC Conferences.  
0 Comments

Networking, networking, networking @ #RCBC2015

2/11/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Selfie-Safari participants from #RCBC2014
Picture#RCBC2015 Delegates Lounge
Year after year, delegates say that one of the most valuable aspects of the RCBC Conference is the networking opportunities.  This year, we are launching the RCBC Delegates' Lounge in the Trade Show and the Macdonald Foyer -- conversation areas to meet and connect with other delegates.

The Trade Show featuring 20+ exhibitors is a key networking portion of the conference.  The Welcome & Gala Receptions will be held in the Trade Show along with all the refreshment breaks in between the sessions.  The delegate-led sessions on EPR & the Circular Economy will also provide an excellent opportunity to connect with area experts and delegates from different sectors.  

In our continued effort to reduce paper for our event, conference program information will be electronic this year.  We will be launching an RCBC Conference Event app that will allow you to connect with each other through your favorite social networks.  Don't forget to tag us with #RCBC2015.  See you all in Whistler!

0 Comments

Program Highlights for #RCBC2015

2/10/2015

0 Comments

 
We are pleased to announce program highlights for #RCBC 2015.

Wednesday May 6 - Afternoon Plenary: Keynote Speaker on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) 
Marc Adams, Managing Director of the Interregional Packaging Commission (IRPC), Belgium.


Plenary: RCBC Workshop - Proactive Consultation on EPR
According to the Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment Canada-Wide Action Plan, textile-related products should be the focus for new EPR programs after 2017, including carpets, clothing and mattresses. For RCBC 2015, delegates have the opportunity to be proactive and create a set of recommendations to inform those industries before their stewardship plan development process even starts. Working in small groups, delegates’ experience with existing EPR programs in BC will provide insight and suggestions to ensure these future programs have the information to get off to a great start. RCBC will consolidate the information, hold it in trust, and provide it to those agencies once formed.
 
Speakers to inform the workshop include Fabio Scaldaferri, Pacific Mattress Recycling, Amelia Ufford from Canadian Textile Recovery Effort (CTRE) and David Lawes from BC Used Oil management Association (BCUOMA).


Thursday May 7 - Morning Session  Concurrent Sessions on Creating the Circular Economy
Stream One: Circular Economy Overview, Biological/Organics Stream

  • West Coast Reduction (Speaker TBD) - Learn how this 50-year-old family business diverts 1 billion lbs of food waste from landfill into an economic engine that drives $2 billion in business activity and adds thousands of jobs throughout its value chain.
  • Metro Vancouver (Speaker TBD) - Love Food, Hate Waste and other programs to reduce food waste and divert it from landfill. (Tentative)
  • Brad Marchant. Enterra Feed - If organic waste is bugging you, this is the innovation presentation to see. (Invited)
  • David Van Seters, Collaborative Economy - Learn how companies profit by diverting waste for higher value, as well as online platforms that turn potential waste into sales and more.
  • Harvest Power (Speaker TBD) - How to produce renewable energy and soil, mulch and natural fertilizer products through anaerobic digestion and composting. (Invited)
Stream Two: Circular Economy Overview - Technical/Product/Service Stream
  • David Van Seters, Collaborative Economy – How providing access over ownership is a business model any size enterprise can adapt to, even you!
  • Mary-Em Waddington, BC Technology for Learning Society - Regional-based Refurbishing business model
  • Dell Computers (Speaker TBD) – Innovating Towards Circularity
  • Brian Zeiler-Kligman, Canada's National Brewers – One Hundred Years of Reusable Bottles of Beer on the Wall . . .
  • Energizer Batteries (Speaker TBD) - Increasing Recycled Content

Plenary: Adapting to Circularity Models 
Based on the information presented in a session just prior, delegates on Thursday morning will work in small groups designated to develop ideas in one or more of the following areas: New business models, adapt existing models, supportive public policy changes, complimentary systems changes, and web based platforms - that work towards the transition of a circular economy.  Delegates will be assisted by a team of facilitators and have access to the speakers of the previous sessions who will be in the room as an information resource to workshop participants.


Thursday, May 7 - Afternoon Sessions 
Dragons’ Den
The groups that develop the best ideas in the previous session will get a chance to pitch their ideas to a panel of Dragons who will acknowledge one group as the RCBC 2015 Dragons’ Den Champion. (prizes and all)
 
Plenary:  Innovations on the Collection Side
Learn about a variety of new and interesting systems and technical developments on the collection and processing side of waste and recycling. Presentations to be announced.
 
Plenary: Illegal dumping
Learn about the challenges to combat illegal dumping and take the first steps towards developing a province-wide strategy. Presentations to be announced.


FRIDAY, May 8 – (under further development) Session One: Circular Economy Panelist – Delegate Discussion A facilitated interactive Q&A Dialogue
 
Session Two: Moira Gookstetter, RCBC - Developing Collaborative Networks.  
 
And more to be announced..... Visit the Program Page for more details
0 Comments

How Circular Economy Thinking Makes Good Business Sense

2/3/2015

0 Comments

 
Dr. Lisa Papania (SFU) reveal the hidden costs of cheap products and explain how circular economy thinking makes good business sense.  This presentation was originally shown at the National Zero Waste Council Circular Economy Webinar last June 2014.  Lisa also presented at #RCBC2014 on Developing Sustainable Entrepreneurs at SFU’s Beedie School of Business during the Creating Leaders of Tomorrow session.  

About the Speaker
Lisa Papania has a PhD in innovation from Simon Fraser University's Beedie School of Business, and an MBA from Wits Business School in South Africa. She teaches students by engaging students in developing innovative solutions that focus on reducing and diverting waste and uplifting local communities.
0 Comments

2014 RCBC Innovation Award Recipient: The Plastic Bank

2/3/2015

0 Comments

 
Picturefrom left, Alda Nicmans (RCBC Board Member), David Katz (CEO, Plastic Bank), Andrew Almack, Shaun Franklin
Introducing a social responsibility-business model, The Plastic Bank was the recipient of the 2014 RCBC Environmental Award for Innovation recognizing an individual or company that achieves an outstanding technical accomplishment in design or development of a product or process that improves its sustainability or advances zero waste practices.

The Plastic Bank is turning plastic waste into a currency that can be exchanged to help lift people out of poverty and transition them into a self-sustaining life of entrepreneurship. The Plastic Bank is setting up re-purposing / exchange centers for plastic waste in areas that have a high concentration of poverty and plastic pollution. The Plastic Bank’s mandate is to provide a ladder of opportunity for the world's poor to ascend from poverty by providing access to education, credit opportunities and 3D printing services. Currently The Plastic Bank is being piloted in Bogota and Lima.

Also, The Plastic Bank with the help of Encorp Pacific, Merlin Plastics, Lush Cosmetics, The Canadian Plastics Industry Association, VanCity and several community groups launched The Plastics For Change program on the West Coast of North America. The Plastic For Change program was piloted to assess how plastic from shoreline clean-upscould be utilized to help prevent future plastics from entering the ocean. The goal of the program is to give community groups and NGO’s an opportunity to put their shoreline plastics to good use. Companies may use the recycled plastic debris in their product line if they agree to sponsor the development of re-purposing centers for plastic waste in high poverty regions through The Plastic Bank.

The Plastic Bank was also featured in the 2014 Metro Vancouver Zero Waste Conference Session on New Business Models of the Circular Economy.  Watch the session here. 
Watch their feature video presented at the RCBC Awards in Whistler at #RCBC2014.

To learn more visit their website: www.plasticbank.org
Nominate an Individual/Organization for the 2015 RCBC Awards
0 Comments

Conference Flashback: Vancouver's Cooperative Tool Lending Market

2/3/2015

0 Comments

 
At #RCBC2012, we featured a local, made-in-BC, sharing economy model.  Chris Diplock presented "Vancouver’s Cooperative Tool Lending Library: A Model for Collective Resources."

Chris outlined the vision to create a community resource that will reduce the costs of improving and greening the places in which we live, work, and play. Launched in 2011, the Vancouver Tool Library (VTL) is a free-to-use cooperative tool lending library that carries a wide variety of tools for home repair, gardening, and bicycle maintenance.

About the Speaker
Chris Diplock is construction project hobbyist with an educational background in business finance and project management. He has worked on the board of both a large non-profit and a workers’ cooperative and he has recently completed a Certificate in Community Economic Development at Simon Fraser University.  He served as president of the VTL during the time of this presentation. 

For more information, visit their website: http://vancouvertoollibrary.com/
0 Comments
<<Previous

    About RCBC

    Canada's Longest Standing Recycling Council 
    www.rcbc.ca

    Archives

    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Picture
visit our main site
Recycling Council of British Columbia
Suite 10 - 119 W. Pender Street
Vancouver, BC  V6B 1S5
604-683-6009 | conference@rcbc.ca 
  • Home
  • The RCBC Awards
  • Program
  • Speakers
  • Sponsors
  • Keynote
  • Contact Us